School Threat Ended, But Security Remains

Six schools in one county were in lockdown for almost two hours after someone made threats of violence. Frightened parents rushed to their child's school. They're happy nothing happened and that police took the threat seriously. VIDEO: Catawba County School Off Lockdown

Authorities have located a man that made threats against the Catawba County School District. Police are talking with him, but he has not been charged at this point.

Fred T. Ford High School, Mountainview Elementary, Startown Elementary, Blackburn Elementary, Banoak Elementary, Jacobs Ford Middle School were on lockdown for about an hour and a half.

The Catawba County Sheriff's Department responded quickly by sending deputies to the six schools early Friday morning.

Officials took the action after learning of a threat made by the husband of a substitute cafeteria worker. Because the employee worked at so many different schools, they posted deputies outside of each one.

Initially, authorities believe the threats involved a gun, causing parents like Donald Holder to leave work.

"I just wanted to find out what was going on, make sure there wasn't anybody in the school," he said.

The lockdown ended when they heard the man was upset that his wife wasn't getting enough hours from the school district and there was never a threat to use a gun.

Initially, that is not what the sheriff's officer or the school district knew at first. They based their decision for the lockdown like it was a very real threat.

Parents like Janice Griffin feel they made the right decision.

"The sheriff's department has done a great job. There were cops at both schools, at both doors. They will not allow anyone in. They are protecting the children," said Griffin.

As a precaution, deputies will remain at the schools for the remainder of the day.

"We cannot take any chances in this day and time. We don't know what people will do. With the world situation, we don't know what will happen," said Catawba County Assistant Superintendent Rick Sherrill.